A question for cops?

Question

I'm currently a sophmore in college which up until now was planning on becoming a history teacher. All of a sudden the idea of becoming a cop stuck to me fast. I've always admired cops, whether big city cops or suburban, and want to know as much as I can about pursuing a career in the police force. What does it take to become a cop? Does it take special schooling? How is the salary? How are the hours? Do you regret becoming a cop, or is it even better than you imagined. Please, help me out with as much information as you can.

Answer 1

Finish your 2 year degree, first. Alot of agencies onw require at least an associates. The pay depends greatly on where you go. City municipalities generally pay the best, but have alot more politics. I highly recommend the ride-along program, Although, it is never the same one day to the next. I personally prefer the sheriff's office. The pay isn't as good ($17 an hour), but you really can't beat the paid days off, retirement program, vacation, health benefits, and laid back atmosphere. After you complete college, you will need police academy, available at most community colleges, or if you want to work for a larger city like New York, L.A., Chicago, Houston, ect. they generally have their own academy. And state entities almost always have their own. Been doing it for 6 years now and not 1 regret, stay honest and you always sleep good at night. My schedule is as follows, alternate month on graves, month on days, 12 hour shifts. Work Mon and Tues. off wed and thurs, work fri, sat sun. Then off mon tues, work wed and thurs, off fri sat sun. You get used to the schedule and i personally love it. Its different for everyone though.

Answer 2

Being a cop is exciting, but also boring. It depends on what you're doing. If you get rostered onto the drunks van, all you do is pick up drunk bastards all night that spew all through your car and over your uniform.

If you're having a good night on general duties however there is a lot of job satisfaction, helping all sorts of people.

You will see a side of peoples lives that will humour you, and others that will shock you to the bone.

If you have a weak stomach, or aggression problems it's not the job for you.

If you think everyone will treat you like a hero, it's not the job for you.

If you don't like confrontations or being abused and assaulted for no particular reason, it's not the job for you.

If you can't bear the thought of picking up broken children, and then having to help the drug addicted piece of sh!t that hurt them, then it's not the job for you.

You are expected to be completely impartial in all situations. You cannot have or show fear or favour.

You will watch as scumbags get let go time and time again by the courts, whilst your mates in the job are put under enormous scrutiny for stupid things that don't matter.

You will be the person that the world looks to for help one day, and then casts their scorn upon the day after.

I find it a very rewarding career, and I wouldn't want to do anything else. But the recruiting campaigns don't show all sides of the job. I'm sick of seeing young blokes come through thinking everyday is a car chase and a shootout. They don't want to do the dirty things that need to be done. Or they are over aggressive and bully the public, when all they had to do is ask.

You need to go to a police college, but the force will put you through that.

The salary is better probably as a history teacher, but you don't do this job for the money.

The hours are rotating shifts. Be prepared to give up some of your weekends, grubs don't stop committing crime on Saturday and Sunday.

Go to your local police station and talk to the old Sergeant. He'll give you the no thrills run down of policing in your area.

Don't be scared to approach an officer and ask them about it. But don't rave on with sh!t either. Get to the point, say thanks and go.

Cheers

Bronco

Answer 3

A cop can be a rewarding job. Most cops do not become cops to help people. Most cops become cops for the adrenalin rush, or as a power ploy. People who want to help people become priests, social workers, teachers, firefighters, etc.

The salary is excellent for the profession. The average cop in California, the most educated state for cops, is only 2 years. Most cops in California make a base salary of around $75K plus overtime and other incentives. In San Jose/Silicon Valley, the average veteran officer can make over $100K. They can retire after 20 years (at 50) with a pretty good pension. A full retirement after 30 years provides nearly a 100% pension.

The hours suck - you will work with scum. Some of the scum will be the people you think you should trust the most (fellow cops). You will probably be married at least twice. You will die an average of 8 years past retirement. Going into the profession, you only have a 62% chance of making it to retirement for various reasons (termination, quitting, disabilites, etc). This is about average for this type of profession (train personnel have a lower rate of making it to retirement). Most cops never get shot and never have to shot anyone. You do not need special schooling at the patrol level.

Answer 4

What does it take to become a cop?you have to be brave and be able to see some people die and sometimes kill people if theyre uncontrulabble and you cant get them to jail
Does it take special schooling?well it depends where you live because some states require it others dont just go to your local cop headquarters and ask
How is the salary?well it depends when you first start out its alright for living standards and a few new things here and their better then most college kids.When you have be.en in it for a while you can support a big family like I do.
How are the hours?Be prepared to be called in any time you have to be ready for anything
Do you regret becoming a cop, or is it even better than you imagined. in my case i love it it is my life but sometimes very rarely though people dont like it.The only time that anyone would ever regret it is when you have to kill someone but on normal situations you dont

Answer 5

To become a cop, it's becoming standard for an associates in a c.j. and academy training. Many departments require degrees for rank advancement (Bachelors o advance past Sgt., etc).

In the end though, it's just a job and sometimes a good resume can get you in the door. You'll always need academy training mandated by the Dept of Corrections.

Salary - not the line of work you want to get into if you're looking for big money.

Hours - alot of shift work which is hard on the body, and often hard on the family life. (usually 4 on/4 off - 12 hour rotating shifts)

Answer 6

there is nothing in college that will make you become a cop. what there is will prepare you and help you understand wht happens.you will find out that what the books say is often not the way it actually happens.take as many criminal justice courses as possible. with a degree you will still have to go thru the academy once hired.your schooling will not stop upon being hired. the states require certain classes every year.what i am saying is that you will always be going to classes

Answer 7

Call your local PD and ask to do a ride-along. That should show you if you really want to be a cop or not. But yes, you'll need to go to the Academy to become a police officer, to learn about laws, how to deal with suspects, etc. The salary differs pretty much everywhere you go. Here in Utah, it's anywhere from 30K-45K.

Answer 8

Thankless job. You'll undergo intense academic and physical training: might want to prep up for both. Be ready to work all hours of day and night....weekends and holidays, too.

You'll also venture into some violently dangerous, drug and disease infested parts of the city--be ever on the lookout AHEAD and BEHIND you. That training you got WILL save your life.

Salary? It's decent. You'll see fast though, why some fellow officers politically stab others in the back to climb up the ladder of success.....but that's everywhere in America.

Become a cop because you believe in the preservation of a safe society for law abident citizens.....corny as it sounds--that's the REAL key to being a cop....right there.

Answer 9

i come from a family of cops. In Dallas you only need 45hr of college and you can make good money if you are willing to work odd jobs also you can get paid to live in an apartments if you do security their. Shoots their is a lot pluses and their is also minuses in being an officer. Go and look on the Internet and search for who is hiring it will give you an idea of what your in for. Oh you get a bonus when you finish the academy. Dallas also has a ride along program.

Answer 10

it's admirable that you want to suddenly become a cop..I'm sure your college has a program or they can get you hooked up to one. I don't think being a cop is as cool as the ones on tv.You have to go to police training...take test and be accepted.My nephew went and he wasnt' cut out to be so pushy,,he said it was like being in the military.He's now a sequrity guard for a school district and he makes more money. We need more teachers.